[Kaohsiung News] Kaohsiung’s South Circular Light Rail Line (LRT) has begun its trial run. When visiting the site today (January 12), Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai announced that ride services will be provided free of charge until February 28th. Furthermore, citizens are encouraged to share their ride experiences with the city government, so as to help improve the light rail service.

Mayor Chen Chi-Mai said that citizens expect the light rail to make life more convenient. The responsibility of the city government is to make the light rail a reliable means of transportation with the highest specifications and strictest standards. From traffic signs to road safety to the connection of the mass transportation system with the revitalization of the surrounding business districts, this is not the duty of a single bureau, and it absolutely requires cross-bureau cooperation.

Mayor Chen Chi-Mai pointed out that to the west, the nine newly added stations will extend to the Gushan District Office; to the east, the light rail will connect institutions such as Kaohsiung Normal University, Min-Sheng Hospital, and Wuquan Elementary School. It will bring greater transportation convenience and safety to the elderly, those with medical needs, students, as well as commuters.

Mayor Chen Chi-Mai asked the municipal team to find any problems, face and solve them from the perspective of citizens, and put the line into full operation in 2023. Hopefully, KLRT will become the most beautiful and convenient landscape in everyone’s daily life.

In addition, Mayor Chen Chi-Mai also expressed gratitude for the many valuable suggestions made by public representatives, chiefs of villages, and civic groups who are concerned about the construction of KLRT and helped perfect it with their input.

Mayor Chen Chi-Mai emphasized that Kaohsiung is the first city in the country to have an LRT and the experiences of cities at home and abroad, including New Taipei City, Paris, Kumamoto, and other places, have proven that LRT has truly positive effects on improving urban environments and enhancing commuter safety.

Finally, Mayor Chen Chi-Mai said he believed that the value of an innovative city is not in how many skyscrapers there are, but whether visitors to the city can explore with peace of mind, safety, and freedom, and appreciate every detail. It is his expectation, as well as citizens’ expectations for the municipal team, that the KLRT will help Kaohsiung accomplish this goal.

Director Wu Yei-Long of the MRT Bureau stated that the trial run of Kaohsiung’s South Circular LRT added nine stations, connecting four administrative districts: Gushan, Yancheng, Cianjhen, and Lingya District. It starts in the east in South Kaisyuan Park, passing through Normal University’s Heping campus, Min-Sheng Hospital, the MRT Red Line Kaisyuan Station, Dream Mall, Software Technology Park, the Kaohsiung Main Public Library, Pop Music Center, Pier-2 Art Center, the MRT Orange Line Sizihwan Station, ALIEN Art Centre, and Shoushan Zoo. To the west, it connects with the Gushan District Office. After opening to traffic, the light rail train can pass from Lingya District to Gushan District without transferring. This will improve the convenience of transportation and the quality of life in the area. In the future, the public will be able to access schools, medical treatment centers, and tourist attractions, while transferring will allow them to enjoy even more convenient transportation services.

The MRT Bureau stated that Kaohsiung’s South Circular Light Rail Line has officially begun its trial run. The city government has launched a “free ride” service. From now until February 28, you can take a KLRT ride for free. After opening to traffic, the first and last trains will continue to depart from the terminal station at 7:00 and 22:00 at 15-minute intervals on weekdays and holidays. All are welcome to come and experience the ride.